A Fun New Twist!

I was contacted by a potential customer through Etsy about making a set of custom potholders. She wondered if I could I make them smaller, could I change the shape and could she get them by December 20th.  Hmmm...let me see!

This is the set she was interested in.  Classic black and red abstract.    

Abstract Pot Holders

After I said 'of course I can', it really got me thinking.  I love when a customer (or anyone) throws an idea out there!  It makes me think, it makes me imagine the possibilities!  I thought what a brilliant idea.  This design would work perfectly with a non-traditional shape.  

Once I pieced the potholders together, I cut a couple shapes in the size she was after and sent pictures to her.  She was very happy and gave her approval.  Now I had to get to work!

This is what I had to work with.  Very similar to the listing she liked, but with all my kitchen items, they are one-of-a-kind.

  

 These are the shapes decided upon.  As you can see...a little unconventional! 

I cut my backing, Insul-Bright and batting (X's two).  

After pinning the pieces together, I get to quilt them!  I usually have a rough idea of how I want to quilt potholders.  Because of the abstract design, basically anything goes!  

I try to keep each set similar in the quilting design, but they are definitely not exactly the same.

This was the fun part!  Cutting wonky irregular shapes!  Totally outside of the box!

I was a little hesitant when thinking about the binding.  Could I make it look good with the weird shape?  There is a little more fussing involved, but it did work.  Whew!  I just need to hand stitch the bindings and they will be done!  

Yes, hand stitching!  I know it would save some time to machine stitch bindings, which I have never tried to do.  It would take practice and some skill!  Maybe one day.  I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love to hand stitch.  It's like the last chapter in a book!

After the holidays I think I may add a couple of these to my shop.  There are plenty of people looking for something totally different, unique and maybe a little odd!  I have to thank my customer(s)!  Not only do I get great ideas from them, but they give me creative control! It's a weird feeling when that happens.  

FYI ~ Today is the last day to enter my Sew Mama Giveaway!  I have three prizes waiting for a new home!

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Michael Miller Fabric Challenge

It sure seemed like I would never complete my first Modern Quilt Guild fabric challenge! The fabric has been staring me down for weeks, my mind has been frantically trying to come up with something...anything...I was feeling completely design challenged!  It helped that there were others in the same boat as me, thankfully the deadline was extended!

This is the fabric we needed to incorporate in our quilted project.  Michael Millers' Petal Pinwheels.  I don't use a lot of prints, so it certainly was a challenge for me!  

What did I decide to do?!  Make a pillow.  Yep!  I went there!  I have been wanting to enlarge the paper pieced hedgehog for some time now, and then wondered what would it look like with some prints.  There it is, two birds one stone!

First step, enlarge the pattern.  The original hedgehog was 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".  My 'bigger is better' hedgehog finished at 6" x 8".  

I added extra paper on the outside of the pattern and extended the lines allowing for a 16" x 16" finished pillow cover.  I could have added a border around the little guy after he was finished, but I really wanted the angles of the paper piecing.  After cutting the pattern apart I remembered to add slightly over 1/4" for the seam allowance.  One problem I had on previous hedgehogs was remembering to do that!  

  
This is the beginning stages.  I must say, it was a little difficult working with such a big piece.  I made a few mistakes along the way too!  If you have ever paper pieced you know how difficult it is ripping out those teeny tiny stitches!  I swore several times.  My husband told me to put it away.  But I was determined to make it to the end!

And I did!  Here is a look at the back.  I love seeing pretty little seams!  It's like a special reward!

How's this for carnage?!  I also love riping the paper off the back after I finish!  Actually, I was so excited about finishing that I tore the paper off before I put the pieces together. Live and learn has become my mantra on so many projects!

Which brings me to quilting this crazy little guy!  I started with 1/4" lines and ended with 3/4" on the top half.  Under his little stubby feet I went wild and pretended I was making the ground.  Something different.  I even embroidered his little eye too!  Can't have another blind hedgehog!   

FRONT

BACK

And there you have it.  Finished, stuffed and brow wiped!  I kind of feel like I 'copped out' on this project.  I didn't use very much of the fabric.  My saving grace...we could use as much or as little as we wanted and it had to be quilted!  I'm happy with 'Michael the Magnificent Hedgehog'!  

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